My Struggle: My Story

Inside the forest, Uzumaki Kushina slowly lowered her hands, the barrier around them vanishing as she walked out.

"It seems quite a few people have their eyes on you, Kushina."

"Sister Tsunade."

Facing Tsunade's teasing, Uzumaki Kushina felt a little shy and embarrassed. Although she was usually carefree, this time it felt like a blind date. Even for her personality, the first time was a bit awkward.

Tsunade, with her arms crossed, said proudly:

"Don't worry, Kushina. This is your decision to make."

"As you saw just now, the blonde brat you mentioned might genuinely have a crush on you, and this Uchiha brat is definitely after your beauty."

Feeling warmth in her heart from Tsunade's willingness to protect her, Uzumaki Kushina couldn't help but smile gratefully.

"Thank you, Sister Tsunade, but those two!"

Thinking of Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Yoru, Uzumaki Kushina felt a bit lost. She tugged at her red hair and said hoarsely, looking down:

"Classmate Minato might be telling the truth, but he made his decision for the sake of the mission and the Village. As for Uchiha Yoru!"

Speaking of Uchiha Yoru, Uzumaki Kushina guiltily revealed her promise with Mikoto.

"So, this brat just wanted to go through the motions with you!?"

Tsunade said with a laugh. She had known this all along but couldn't resist teasing the blushing Kushina.

However, when comparing them, Uchiha Yoru seemed to have a slight edge. One was a secret crush plus doing it for the village, the other was just going through the motions for a mission. The difference was clear.

"But this Uchiha brat, or rather, beneath that proud Uchiha facade, he possesses even stronger emotions."

Perhaps fearing Uzumaki Kushina would misunderstand Uchiha Yoru, as she had come to approve of the kid, Tsunade shook her head with a smile.

"Jiraiya gave Minato a book, so I'll give you one too. You might not expect it, but this book was written by this kid. Of course, it also contains a lot of childish fantasies about the future."

A red-covered book was taken out from Tsunade's ninja tool pouch. She had learned about this book through her secret investigation of Uchiha Yoru. After all, shinobi rely on information. (Before the advent of Gundam.)

This book also sold well among shinobi. The entire text revolved around Bonds, because in this distorted world, no one understood them better than he did.

"A book written by Uchiha Yoru?"

Uzumaki Kushina was surprised. She didn't know about it. But upon seeing the four large characters 'My Struggle' on the red cover, she nodded and took it.

"That's right. In the future, on the front lines, Uchiha Yoru's chakra nature will be very compatible with yours. The Uchiha's inherent pride might be off-putting, but after reading this book, you'll have a general understanding of the Uchiha's personality."

Tsunade said with a smile, shaking her head. This childish novel written by the kid, wasn't the Uchiha's pride also quite childish?

In the forest, a bird flew overhead. Uchiha Yoru, walking with Jiraiya, slowly curved his lips into a smile.

He wasn't a Sensory Ninja, but he possessed the ability to communicate with animals. This was one of the Sage Body's abilities. (According to official data, Jugo has the ability to communicate with animals.) He had already discovered the presence of someone in the shadows through the bird earlier. In the forest just now, both Jiraiya and Tsunade knew there was another person hiding, and that was Uzumaki Kushina. In the eyes of Tsunade and Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Yoru wouldn't be able to find Kushina.

"Lord Jiraiya, I've been reading your 'Grit Ninja Chronicle.' I really like the protagonist Naruto's tenacious personality. This is a book I wrote, and I hope it will gain your approval."

"Also, I think Classmate Minato is more suited for this book of mine."

As he left with Jiraiya, he remembered Jiraiya giving Minato a book earlier and immediately smiled. He wouldn't miss such a good opportunity. Uchiha Yoru respectfully took out a red-covered book from his ninja tool pouch.

Upon seeing the book, Jiraiya couldn't help but show surprise.

"Kid! You wrote this book!?"

This red-covered book, 'My Struggle,' was selling just as well as his own. More importantly, he had also read this book.

"How could you come up with such a brilliant idea!"

Seeing Jiraiya's shock, Uchiha Yoru smiled shyly.

"No! It wasn't my idea, I was just writing about my own life. Of course, sometimes I add some fantasies. Also, I've adapted some missions in the book, as some shinobi missions are classified."

Facing Jiraiya, Uchiha Yoru explained with a smile why he could write such a book. 'My Struggle' - he had only published three parts so far. The first part: My Family. The second part: In the Ninja Academy. The third part: What I Saw on the Ninja Battlefield.

At this moment, beneath Uchiha Yoru's shy smile, a crazy ambition was hidden. No one understood better than him what this distorted shinobi world needed most! It was Bonds! Comrades! Not some damn love, not even Jiraiya's future erotic paradise, which was merely a spiritual seasoning.

His first three chapters were entirely centered around bonds and comrades. For this twisted world, this book is an addictive poison.

Even in the first three chapters, he had thought it through carefully and added no personal ideology, but purely wrote the protagonist's personality as someone with an inherently tsundere (Uchiha) nature, perfectly aligning with himself.

It is precisely this pride that, once recognized, becomes unstoppable. This contradictory, conflicting personality makes more shinobi feel it's real and hard to put down.

Similarly, this book is entirely positive right now, well, it will remain positive in the future!

It's just that his dream, called the ninja way (ambition), will gradually appear.

"Brat, you this!"

Jiraiya isn't stupid; he naturally understood Uchiha Yoru's thoughts.

Uchiha Yoru gave a shy smile.

"Lord Jiraiya, compared to that, Minato doesn't need unyielding perseverance, but rather the recognition of comrades."

He was clearly subtly reminding Jiraiya that Minato Namikaze's influence stemmed more from his status than his looks when it came to Kushina.

Don't put it so nicely; it's sincerity, as if no one else is sincere.

Beauty, status influence, strength—aren't they all sincerity?

It's true that Minato secretly admired Kushina and had feelings for her, but what truly solidified his decision was his status and influence.

Just like him, who never hides his attraction to captivating beauty.

"You brat."

At this moment, Jiraiya smiled helplessly. Thinking about it, Minato really seemed to lack true comrades.

He at least had Orochimaru and Tsunade, but what about Minato?

Minato's two teammates clearly couldn't keep up with him. Although Minato didn't lack the determination to protect his comrades, this was merely out of a Konoha shinobi's responsibility and the inheritance of the Will of Fire.

Geniuses are lonely; Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade were fortunate.

"Then I'll have to thank you on Minato's behalf."

Beneath Jiraiya's hearty laughter, this brat didn't seem so displeasing anymore.

Uchiha Yoru also smiled, no one could understand how refreshed he felt inside.

To tell Jiraiya that the future Fourth Hokage lacked recognition of his comrades felt incredibly satisfying!

"Brat, this Sage is very optimistic about you."

Anyone who could write such a book must be someone who deeply values comrades, Jiraiya smiled.

Especially with the Uchiha personality, it really made sense. Few can enter the heart of an arrogant Uchiha, but once they do, they'll go all out!

Cough!

Upon thinking this, Jiraiya couldn't help but show a strange expression. He remembered some unpleasant things—Uchiha who went berserk on the battlefield, fearing no death and killing madly, all seemingly for their comrades.

Similarly, Uzumaki Kushina, holding the red-covered 'My Struggle,' also showed a faint smile.

The tsundere Uchiha, claiming it was for beauty, wasn't it just a cover for his inner pride?

It was clearly a clan mission, for the clan, yet he insisted on calling it beauty.

"Is red hair really that attractive?"

Uzumaki Kushina muttered to herself, then looked down at her own red hair. Seeing the book's red cover, she smiled.

Uchiha are skilled in Fire Style, and the book has a red cover, so it's clear Uchiha Yoru truly likes red.

If Uchiha Yoru knew Kushina's thoughts at this moment, he would only be stunned and then nod in agreement. Yes! It's exactly as you think.

Cough, the thematic connection is a bit late, but the author considered it carefully before deciding. After all, if the protagonist's strength and influence were to truly bring out any profound ideas, he wouldn't be able to protect himself.

The author is trying their best to maintain logic and slowly build up the narrative, gradually introducing the Will of Fire (virtue), cough, I'll stop here for now. Please continue reading. I'm also asking for support from my readers.

[Tomorrow is Tuesday, please keep reading! Tomorrow, please keep reading! Please keep reading!]